Six Words or Less: Your Thoughts on Broncos-Bengals

DENVER –The Broncos fanbase, a collective force during the team’s glory days, found itself in schism after the Week 1 loss to the Raiders. Sunday’s win over Cincinnati put it back together — at least temporarily.

Below are some of your brief thoughts from the moments after Denver hung on for a 24-22 win to improve to 1-1.

Eric Decker runs for the goal line with the first of his two touchdowns Sunday. (PHOTO: GABRIEL CHRISTUS / DENVER BRONCOS)

SALUTING THE GRITTY, IF INELEGANT EFFORT …

CaliBronco20
Great, gritty tough-it-out game.

DenverSmileHigh
The new norm: tough and ugly

NightTrainLayne
Ugly wins beat losses every day.

_RyanGreene_
Ugly, but much needed.

ehalseymiles
Tough win through major adversity.

JohnOdellComedy
Broncos show character in overcoming injuries.

sarahlgarner
Even with many injuries, we won!

BGilchrist25
Amazing resilience from next man up.

Third_Eye84
Next Man Up.

MASON: The catchphrase is catching on around these parts.

elwaytogo
Thank you Eric Decker!

asianorange
Thank goodness for Eric Decker.

MASON: And there’s a “next man” on his way to becoming “the man.” He looks like a keeper from these eyes.

milehighbroncos
Very gritty win considering the injuries.

shaneslone
Defense made plays when it counted.

salentoq
This defense has lots of heart.

THE BIG PICTURE BEYOND WEEK 2 …

MAXFLI10
Injuries, tough schedule, we’re in trouble.

StewbotTalborg
That was close. When’s the draft?

McSmashie
A win, but must get better.

mbstokes
Dalton impressive. Too many injuries. Win.

MASON: Yes, the Bengals look like they have themselves a keeper in Andy Dalton … which, if they finish with a top-five pick in next year’s draft, could make their decision in a quarterback-rich draft a fascinating one. Speaking of which …

FOR SOME, THE QUARTERBACK POSITION REMAINS THE ISSUE …

broncosholic82
Orton Orton Orton Orton for now!

alextfreeman
Relieved, still don’t believe in Orton.

MASON: This was not a game that would convince anyone on either side of the quarterback debate to change one’s mind.

delaranta
Broncos now trailing in Luck sweepstakes.

fiyahpowah
Goodbye, Andrew Luck. Miss you.

randyschwimmer7
Orton needs a lot less turnovers.

LifelongBronco
Orton still Bengals MVP START TEBOW.

milehighdreams
Orton should have thrown to Tebow.

MASON: Because an emergency wide receiver pressed into service this week should always be the first option, right?

THE REALISTS …

jl_weber
Survived.

ballinnickcast
Way too close for comfort.

MrRobertoValles
We must remain cautiously optimistic, fans.

KraigKennicutt
Good win. Offense still needs work.

SpaceCowboyInLG
Good defense outlasted crappy offense. Win.

DonOlmstead
Don’t play the Bungles every week.

romeyinfc
Luck, big plays overcame many mistakes.

bpitteri
We just need some more fire.

MASON: It looked from my press-box angle that there was plenty of it.

matt_1979
Disappointed with a win. Weird.

MASON: Yet I would offer this is a win that should yield more celebration that most, given that it came without so many starters.

MHR_Troy
Win despite Vaughn and Clady.

MASON: Cassius Vaughn clearly struggled at times. Ryan Clady had an unusual performance for him, with two holding penalties and a fumble. But on the positive side, offensive line coach Dave Magazu’s star pupil in Carolina, Jordan Gross, got off to a shaky start in 2008 before finding his footing and finishing the year as a Pro Bowler.

5280Orange
Still a long way to go.

Duke0730
At least we won one.

BUT WHEN IT CAME DOWN TO IT, IT WAS A WIN ABOVE ALL …

dadramsey
Orange Crush is back in town!

5280Hawk
Relief, hopeful, optimistic, proud.

LGBoogie19
Feels good to get a win.

j_lantz
A win’s a win’s a win!

AND A MOMENTARY PEACE SETTLES ACROSS BRONCOS COUNTRY …

About Andrew Mason

Andrew Mason has covered the NFL since 1999, when he worked as an editor on NFL.com when the site was managed by ESPN.com. He worked six seasons (2002-07) covering the Broncos on their official website and two (2008-09) on the Panthers' site. He began MaxDenver.com in 2010 and now contributes to CBSSports.com, The Sporting News and The New York Times.